Marikana men get 20 years each for killing Sabata Chale

Some of the 14 men accused of the murder of Sabata Petros Chale in Marikana. Charges have been dropped against Napoleon Webster, in white shirt. Picture: ANA

Chale was killed by the group over the allocation of low cost (RDP) houses in Marikana, North West province.

Eight Marikana men found guilty of killing Sabata Petros Chale were today each sentenced to 20 years imprisonment by the North West High Court.

“Murder is a serious offence, the deceased have lost his life. The court should consider the manner in which he lost his life…Hopefully when you come out of prison you will be rehabilitated and contribute to your family and society,” Judge Ronnie Hendricks said in delivering sentence.

“The deceased was a father of two children, the youngest celebrated her birthday just before her father was killed.”

Chale was killed by the group over the allocation of low cost (RDP) houses in Marikana.

In arguing for mitigating factors before sentencing, Eric Marx, for the accused, appealed for the court not to impose the life sentence.

“Marikana is a volatile area since the massacre in 2012, there is a political conflict between the [Economic Freedom Fighters] EFF and the [African National Congress] ANC. The testimony of Mr [Mpumelelo] Xakumbisa that accused four [Herbert Baqhesi] was staring at a woman wearing an ANC T-shirt, indicate the rivalry between the ANC and EFF, fuelled by housing problems,” Marx said.

Advocate Cain Nontenjwa, for the State, said the court should impose the prescribed life sentence and it should consider the political situation in Marikana as a compelling circumstance for a lengthy sentence to be imposed.

He said Chale left two children aged 10 and two.

– African News Agency (ANA)

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